Aurora Springer's Blog, page 2
August 27, 2024
Art Prints from the Grand Master's Trilogy
The prints are: 1) Violet flying on Ythris the black dragon.
2) Griffin flying over mountains.
3) Black dragon flying above castle.
4) Callama the live shell boat.
5) Black griffin.
Four of these Art Prints appear as illustrations in the special edition of the Grand Master's Trilogy. The flying brown griffin is an illustration in Whimsical Creatures, my book of pictures and short poems of fantastic creatures.
https://www.playfulgallery.com/digital-art
Top-quality prints with or without frames, and selectedmerchandise.
July 9, 2024
NEW: Kickstarter Campaign for Special Illustrated Edition of Grand Master’s Trilogy
Join my campaign to create a gorgeous foiled hardback of theGrand Master’s Trilogy with interior art and bonus content. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/auroraspringer/grand-masters-trilogy-three-hardbacks-with-custom-art
Are you a fan of StarWars, but would prefer a little more romance?Do you love AnneMcCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern?
Do you crave death-defying quests to remote and dangerousrealms, mythical entities, and forbidden romance?
Then, you’ll love theGrand Master’s Trilogy!
This special edition has:
Gorgeous new cover
Custom interior art
Short prequel, Grand Master’s Cat
Book 1: Grand Master’s Pawn
Book 2: Grand Master’s Game
Book 3: Grand Master’s Mate
Glossary with list of planets and Grand Masters
Twelve Grand Mastersrule the galaxy.
Twenty years ago, aprophet foretold their doom.
His daughter seeks thetruth about his mysterious death.
Empath Violet hides hertalent to become the Griffin’s pawn.
She wins magicartifacts and unexpected allies on his missions.
When she meets theGriffin, her life explodes.
Will she fulfill herdestiny and destroy the Grand Masters?
Digital Rewards
Physical Rewards
Backers can choose the next stretch rewards.
Make a pledge and join the fun!
Aurora Springer's Direct Bookstore.
My books are available at a discount in my virtual store (https://payhip.com/AuroraSpringerNovels).
I invite you to join meon Facebook , Twitter /X, YouTube, or Instagram
June 30, 2024
My Mid-Year Progress in Writing and Art
Since the beginning of 2024, I have published an illustratedduology and run a Kickstarter campaign for an art book.
Oakenwald Duology on retailers at theend of May. The Oakenwald Duology includes the first two books in my new fantasyseries: 1) Bridget Bramble and the Wandering Elf, and 2) Bridget Bramble andthe Dragon Ship. It has custom header images for each chapter and color illustrationsof characters and scenes in the stories.
Book 1: Bridget Bramble and the Wandering Elf
A young witch escapes the destruction of her home and embarkson a quest for the fabled land where elves and humans live in peace.
Bridget Bramble lives in a small village where she bartersherbs and carved buttons. When cruel invaders murder her family, she flees intothe woods. Armed with her Granny’s advice and a bag of magic buttons, she setsout on the perilous journey to Oakenwald, the fabled land where elves and menlive in harmony. On her travels, she encounters malicious creatures from theworst kind of folktale.
Lost in the foothills of the mountains, Bridget meets a mysteriouself, Windswift the Wanderer. He offers to guide her across the icy peaks toOakenwald. Can she find a safe haven in the elf queen’s realm?
Book 2: Bridget Bramble and the Dragon Ship
Step into the fabulous realm of Oakenwald with BridgetBramble and the Dragon Ship!
Bridget Bramble hopes to make a home with the elf,Windswift, in the peaceful land of Oakenwald. But her hopes for a peaceful lifeare crushed when news arrives of a fleet of enemy ships threatening thesouthern shores. The enemy’s pincers are closing about the enchanted land. Oncea humble herbwife and button maker, Bridget and her elf partner are recruitedinto a perilous mission to scout the roads to the southern port. The perilsincrease as they travel farther from the elf queen’s domain. Will Bridget’shandful of spells and Windswift’s keen sword be sufficient to defeat theinvaders and ensure the safety of the warded land?
The ebook is available HERE . https://www.auroraspringer.org/p/oakenwald-duology.html
KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN
In mid-January, I ran a Kickstarter campaign to create Whimsical Creatures . This Art Bookcombines 25 short poems and 86 pictures of fantastic creatures, includingdragons, unicorns, fairies, anthropomorphic cats and dogs, and more.
The best illustrations are available at my Art Store ( https://www.playfulgallery.com/digital-art ).
The eBook of Whimsical Creatures is available on my WebStore .
What’s on my agenda for the next six months?NEXT BOOK(S)
I’m writing the next two books in my epic fantasy series, theOakenwald Chronicles.I hope to publish Book 3, Princess Shuka and he Pirate King, later this year.You can read a sample HERE.
UPCOMING KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN
In July, I plan to launch a campaign to produce a gorgeousillustrated edition of the Grand Master’sTrilogy. The special edition will have a new cover, custom chapter headers,illustrations, and bonus content. The hardcover will have gold foil text, andother options, depending on the popularity of the campaign.
Check my campaign HERE.
All my books are available in paperback. Check individualtitles on my Catalogue .
AUDIO
More than half of my stories are available as Audiobooks.
(See my Catalogue )
Direct Bookstore.
My books are available at a discount in my virtual store (https://payhip.com/AuroraSpringerNovels).
I invite you to join meon Facebook , Twitter /X, YouTube, or Instagram
June 24, 2024
Read a sample of the Grand Master’s Trilogy - Galactic Romantasy with Epic Quest
Grand Master’s Pawn,Chapter 1
“TheCouncil of Twelve will be destroyed.” The words blazed in his memory from twodecades ago. The clairvoyant, Frank Hunter, had prophesied their doom not longafter the Griffin had attained the rank of Grand Master. He recalled thefurious arguments in Council meetings, the Chair’s arrogant derision of his own‘naïve’ objections to eliminating the prophet, and the ensuing radicalprohibitions on psychics. As the outcome, Frank Hunter had died. Andhenceforth, talented people were denied access to proper training and excludedfrom the annual selection of pawns.
Heglared at the name on the list of top candidates, Violet Hunter. A spate ofquestions swept across his mind. How had she dared to apply for the selection?Was she foolish or merely ignorant of her heritage? He scrolled through therecords once more, seeking a clue to her personality. Her qualifications weresuperb without a hint of prohibited psychic talent.
Psicrackled and the screen blanked.
Herapplication was futile. What Grand Master would take the risk of employing theprophet’s daughter as a pawn? What a crazy choice, embracing the omen of theirdestruction.
Hisgrim laughter echoed around the room.
Howamusing. The very idea would stun the entire Council. He replayed the clip ofthe girl’s combat exam with one of the instructors. The tiger-stripedAman-ellan sheathed his claws and fought with a sensor-tipped knife.Anticipating each strike with agile leaps, the girl blocked his attacks withease.
Suspiciousas always, he pondered the possibilities. Had Violet Hunter inherited a psychicskill from her parents? Why then had she volunteered to be a candidate for theCouncil’s selection of pawns? She might not be aware of a minor skill. Hertalent might have not yet manifested. Or else, she had deliberately evaded theCouncil’s prohibitions. How delightfully dangerous. If he selected her as hispawn, he would force the truth from her.
Andyet, despite his caution, he felt a modicum of sympathy for the child who hadlost her father. She deserved a recompense. And perhaps a chance to revenge herfather’s murder.
* * *
Alertedby the rustle of dry leaves, Violet Hunter rotated to face the sound.
Threeyellow striped velociraptors bounded through the giant ferns, cruel eyesfocused on their prey.
Actingwith honed reflexes, she sidestepped to elude the claws of the foremostattacker. Swinging her sword with both hands, she sliced into the neck of thesecond reptile, and ducked under the toothy jaws of the third.
Ignoringthe small human, the two wounded carnivores tore into each other.
Violetswiveled to meet the bellowing onslaught of the first dinosaur. She thrust herblade into its throat and skipped out of reach of its teeth.
Itsthrashing body thudded to the ground, flattening fern fronds.
Jumpingaway from the snapping melee of dying and bloody dinosaurs, Violet hit the offswitch.
Shestrode out of the dimly lit game room into the annex, hung the sword on therack, dropped the helmet on a shelf, and sighed. Bored with the simulatedcombat sessions, she longed to explore alien planets. Real life would haveadvantages. She preferred to carry a multipurpose laser instead of wielding thearchaic sword. And, her hidden empathic sense would warn her of lurkingpredators. She had kept her talent secret during her years at the Space Academybecause of the Grand Masters’ ban.
Leapingup the stairs from the underground training facility, she paced across thecampus towards the Council Hall for the annual selection of pawns. The blackmarble facade of the windowless building reflected the overcast sky, and themassive iron gates at the entrance deterred casual visitors. A wintry gustfroze her bare face and she shivered at the ominous symbol. Despite herforbidden empathy, the Grand Masters were her best hope of escaping Terra for acareer in space. Anger flared as she remembered the rejection from Space Corps,“Does not meet the physical standards.” Translation, she was too small.
Shesensed Tessa’s nervous mind an instant before her friend stepped out of theshelter of a doorway. Tessa’s delicate beauty was heightened in the cold air.
Tessagushed, “Oh Vi, I’m so happy you’re here. I’ve been waiting for ages.” Sheglanced at the crowded plaza in front of Council Hall. “I couldn’t face goingin there alone.” Gazing at Violet from her lovely blue eyes, she said, “Iapplied only because my parents insisted. They say it’s an honor to serve theGrand Masters.”
Tornbetween amusement and annoyance at her friend’s timidity, Violet retorted,“Tessa Brown, you’re twenty-two. Your parents can’t force you to do anything.”
“Idon’t want to disappoint them,” Tessa whispered, clinging to Violet’s arm.
“Youwon’t. I predict you’ll marry a wealthy noble or a brilliant inventor,” Violetjoked. With Tessa’s beauty and sweet nature, marriage was surely in her future,while Violet was fated to remain single. What man would wed a woman who couldread his mind? Even when she tried not to pry, thoughts slipped unbiddenthrough her mental shield. But Tessa, like everyone else at the Academy, didnot know about her psychic talent.
Tessaprotested, “How can you be so cheerful? We don’t know what we’ll face insidethat awful black building.” She shook her blonde tresses, and said, in anobvious attempt to evade her worries, “It’s a pity your mother didn’t stayafter our graduation last week.”
Compressingher lips, Violet said, “My mother ported back to Cirrus-beta. She couldn’t bearto stay any longer. Ever since my father’s death, Silvia’s hated the sight ofthe Space Academy. It’s the first time she’s left home in twenty years.” Hermother’s grief had haunted her childhood. Violet had learned to insulate hermind from the sadness, but she seldom visited Silvia these days, and neverstayed long in her childhood home.
Unawareof Violet’s distress, Tessa asked, “Do you remember your father?”
“No.I was two years old when he died and Silvia never speaks of him. She stillmourns for him.”
“Howsad.” Tears glistened in Tessa’s soft eyes.
Violetshook her head, dismissing her friend’s sympathy, and gestured towards theflagstone plaza. “Come on. Let’s join the other candidates.”
Bracingfor the flood of tense emotions, Violet tightened her mental shield and tuggedher reluctant friend towards the milling crowd. The candidates filled theplaza, although the gates were not due to open for another thirty minutes.People stood in quiet groups, or shuffled restlessly around the plaza. Mostwere men and woman of Terran stock with a scattering of aliens. Violet noticedthe vivid green feathers of a Flia and the pricked ears of two furryAman-ellans.
Scanningthe other candidates, Violet wondered if she would be chosen. Despite the oddsagainst her, Mother Tingu had been confident she would succeed. After ten yearsof secret lessons to control her empathic talent in defiance of the GrandMasters’ prohibition, Violet trusted the White Mother’s judgment.
Afamiliar, hostile mind loomed through the crowd and Violet steeled herself toignore the bully. Big, blond Marius Krupp shoved past her and taunted, “Violet,the midget candidate. You’re no beauty with that silly mark on your face. WhatGrand Master would want you?” He snickered and swaggered away to join hiscronies in a noisy group of toughs.
Glaringat his retreating back, Violet shook off his disruptive influence.
“He’shorrid,” Tessa cried. “Your birthmark looks like a star.”
Violetsmiled. Trust Tessa to turn a defect into a badge of honor.
Shesensed her friend, Srinivasan, approach from behind. His voice was sincere.“Forget about your size, Violet. Marius is foolish to antagonize you. I’ve seenyou trounce larger men than him.” Srini’s slender physique was also deceptive,concealing his combat skills. He was a prime candidate for selection as a pawn,a mathematical genius and an expert in deciphering esoteric languages.
“Isuppose the Grand Masters won’t care about my height,” she said, smiling at herfriend. “Although, I’ve no idea how they select their pawns.”
Hisblack eyes gleamed and Srini nodded amiably. “Let me enlighten you. I’veanalyzed the Grand Masters’ selections for the past twenty years.Statistically, the candidates with the top academic qualifications are the mostlikely to be selected. So, our chances are excellent, Violet. Both of usachieved the top grades. Your xenobiology degree is especially suitable forexploring planets.”
“Flashy,I’m glad to hear your conclusions. Five out of a hundred seems poor odds.”Violet glanced at the massive gates. “I wish the gates would open. It’s alreadyseveral minutes past the due time.” She sensed the level of anxiety ratchet upas the candidates stared at the iron gates. Complaints sounded at the delay.
Impatientcandidates scuffled their feet on the flagstones and Violet wondered if theGrand Masters deliberately kept them waiting outside. Ordinary people must bowto their superiors. That attitude was on par with the ominous black marbleexterior of the Council Hall.
Tessatugged at Violet’s arm. Her voice quivered. “I don’t want to be chosen as apawn. Do you, Vi?”
Brushingaside her timid friend’s fears, Violet chuckled. “Why not? I’d love to travelthe galaxy. Besides, I want to learn more about the mysterious Grand Masters.”
“I’veheard they’re horrible. Truly evil, and not even human,” Tessa whimpered, herbrown eyes wide in alarm.
Grimimages crept into Violet’s mind and she shivered. “Who knows what they are? TheGrand Masters might be aliens or even machines, if machines can have psipower.” Thrusting her fears aside, she tried to pacify her friend. “Don’tworry, Tessa. I’m sure they won’t want a scared pawn.”
“I should love to be chosen,” Srini said, hisblack eyes shining with excitement. “It’s a great honor to serve the GrandMasters and I’ve always wanted to explore the galaxy.”
Violetsmiled at his enthusiasm. She was more cautious. “Yes, I’d love to be the firstperson to discover intelligent aliens on an uncharted planet. But, the pawn’smissions can be dangerous.”
“Travelis hazardous these days,” Srini said. A frown shadowed his face. “My brothermissed our graduation ceremony. He was stranded on a planet in OuterSagittarius when the portals broke.”
“Howawful,” Tessa cried with instant sympathy.
Shakingher head, Violet was quiet. Doubts crowded into her mind as the minutes passed.Would she be selected by one of the enigmatic Grand Masters? She was desperateto leave Terra, where the high population stressed her sensitive mind. Chewingon her lower lip, she steeled herself for the interview.
Agong rang and the iron gates swung open with the swish of well-oiled hinges.The crowd of graduates surged forward, their feet rustling on the flagstones.Violet cringed at the flare of their excitement and tightened her mentalshield. The candidates marched through the gates into a large hall adorned withcolored banners. They waited silently for instructions.
Aloudspeaker blared, “Candidates will enter the interview chamber in groups oftwenty.”
Twoblack-uniformed guards stood on either side of an inner door, which wasdecorated in images of the major civilized planets. The guards opened the doorand allowed the first group of twenty candidates to enter the room. They walkedthrough the door in silence.
Byeasing past more reluctant candidates, Violet maneuvered to the front of thecrowd. She had decided the best strategy was to wait for the third or fourthgroup. Then, she would avoid an early interview when the Grand Masters mightprefer to see more candidates and still hope to be examined before all thepawns were selected.
Hertwo friends stood beside her. Srini had a serious expression on his dusky face,while Tessa’s fearful eyes pleaded for moral support. Violet was more curiousthan frightened. Would they see the twelve mysterious Grand Masters at theinterview?
Aftera short interval, the second group of candidates was called inside. Violetsensed their taut excitement as they passed through the door. There was no signof the first group and they must have departed by another exit.
Herface blanched with terror, Tessa gripped Violet’s hand. “I’m scared,” shemoaned.
“Don’tworry. It won’t take long. The Grand Masters seem to decide quickly,” Violetsaid to encourage her fainthearted friend.
Thedoor opened for the third group of candidates. Violet stepped forward, eager tocomplete this step. Whether she succeeded in becoming a pawn or not, her lifewould move into the next stage after today.
Mariusboasted loudly, “The Grand Masters dominate the galaxy. They rule over manyplanets. I’m going to grab a piece of that power.” Shouldering roughly pasther, he strode through the door.
Obnoxiousbrute, she thought, let him be the first to take the stage. But, his wordsdisturbed her. Did the Grand Masters control entire planets? She walkedsteadily toward the door, staying with her two friends. Any Grand Master whochose Marius would not be to her taste. She hoped to find one with lessgrandiose ambitions.
Insidethe interview room, Violet stood in the middle of the twenty candidates. Tessaclutched her hand, nearly desperate with terror. Srini stood on her other sidewith a frown of concentration on his brown face.
Thecandidates clustered at the back of the room, staring at a low platform bearinga row of strange objects. Twelve black spheres stood on top of tall cylinders.Violet was disappointed. No Grand Masters were visible in the room. She couldsense no living entities except the twenty jittery candidates.
Aneerie humming sound filled the room, prompting gasps of alarm from hercompanions. Colored points of light flared on the spheres. Some spheres had asingle pair of lights like two human eyes, while other spheres bore three, fiveor more colored lights. Violet saw red, blue, green and yellow lights. Shesensed very faint presences, as if the Grand Masters were observing thecandidates via the pseudo eyes on the spheres.
Tessatrembled violently. Violet dropped her friend’s hand, ignoring her beseechingeyes. She did not wish to be contaminated by Tessa’s display of weakness. Theywould be judged separately.
Anartificial voice called, “Candidates will walk onto the stage, one at a time,and stand still for evaluation by the Grand Masters.”
Onebrave candidate stepped up, nearly stumbling in his haste. He stood silentlyfor a few minutes before he was dismissed to the left exit. Her tormenter,Marius, strode to the front. He was dismissed even faster than the firstcandidate.
Violetwalked forward, resolved to take her chance. She stood erect and stared at therow of lighted spheres. An uncanny vision wavered before her eyes, and shetensed, holding her breath in awe. The hazy image resolved into twelve entitieson thrones, human men and women and alien creatures. Their eyes glowed in thecolors she had seen on the spheres. One alien was a mass of writhing tentacles,while another resembled a green blob. One humanoid woman wore red robes,another woman had a green gown, and two men were clad in somber black robes.
Inthe midst of this amazing sight, her attention was caught by a dark man in bluerobes seated at one end of the twelve thrones. He had a grim face with fierceblack eyebrows over a hooked nose. His eyes were half lidded. While shewatched, his eyes opened and piercing blue beams flashed onto her face. Shestared boldly into his laser blue eyes. Yet, in the next moment, his gaze slidpast, and she doubted he had even noticed her.
Shestiffened in alarm and shielded belatedly, hoping to conceal her psychic power.The eerie vision of the twelve entities vanished as swiftly as it had arisen.Violet was disappointed. She wanted to inspect the Grand Masters more closely.Surely, she had perceived the mysterious Grand Masters in the transient image.Would one of those strange beings select her as a pawn?
Sheblinked, returning to the reality of the interview room with the lightedspheres on black cylinders.
The mechanical voice called, “You have beenchosen. Walk through the exit on your right.”
Violetgrinned and raised her fist in triumph. She had succeeded in the first step ofher risky venture. As a pawn, she could study her Grand Master and pursue herdream of exotic travel.
Joinmy Kickstarter campaign to create a gorgeous illustrated edition of the GrandMaster’s Trilogy. The special edition will contain: the prequel, Grand Master’sCat, and books 1-3 of the series.
June 4, 2024
My Travels in Europe, Innsbruck, Part 3
In the next stage ofour trip to Europa, we took a train from Munich to Innsbruck in the Austrianalps. This video shows our first glimpse of the alps from the train ride -
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Qm_ZSkp08Eo
Innsbruck is a smallcity on the banks of River Inn and nestled in mountains. You can easily walkfrom one end of the city to the other.
We rode on a funiculartrain and a cable car from Innsbruck to one of the nearby mountains. The cablecar terminated near the snow line.
Here's a series of short videos from our ride on the cable car.
Cable car, Part 1 - https://youtube.com/shorts/8d_7iQgH3Mg
Cable car, Part 2 - https://youtu.be/QLICjQxRawU
Cable car, Part 3 - https://youtube.com/shorts/fK0sOsef_XE
We had an excellent view of City of Innsbruck andRiver Inn from the cable car station - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/o-mm595ajgY
On the mountain, wewalked along a path and ate bread and cheese for lunch. These Alpine Choughs are waiting to grab a piece of bread.
This video shows how tame the birds are - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YUqh8cW-z2g
My next post will cover Hagen and Dusseldorf in Germany.
June 3, 2024
May’s Book Bargains: Tenth Anniversary Specials
The Lady is Blue , Book 1 in Atrapako on Eden , Sci-Fi and AlienRomance.
Intrepid scientistthwarts invasion of scaly aliens.
If you like plucky heroines and mysteries where deceptionsabound, then you’ll enjoy this science fiction adventure and sweet romance witha surprise twist at the end.
99c at my Webstore and other retailers .
See the complete series(to date) at https://www.auroraspringer.org/p/atrapako-on-eden.html
Fightfor freedom. Fight to survive - For refugees from an overcrowded Earth, dreamsof a better life on an alien planet transform into a terrifying battle for survival.
Nothingwill stand in the way of Tiger Lily's dream of escaping the subterranean slumsof Terra and visiting the stars. She entersthe fierce competition for a place in the scout team on the next spaceship to theremote planet of Delta, where an earlier colony disappeared. Before the shipdeparts, a mysterious message suggests thedescendants of the first colonists may be alive.
Arisky mission to seek the lost colony exposes the scouts to unexpected attacks,and they encounter a grim warrior in the isolated valley. Has Tiger Lily mether match in the tortured man? Is he leading them to safety or further danger?And who are the real rulers of this strange world?
Do you enjoy excitingadventures with alien encounters? Do you like your science fiction with a dashof romance? Read “A Tale of Two Colonies”, a story of betrayal, survival andhope by indie author, Aurora Springer.
May 28, 2024
My Travels in Europe, Munich, Part 2
My previous post focusedon the Englische Garten and Old Town in Munich. We also visited the SchlossNymphenberg, shown at sunset in the header image.
We traveled by tramacross the city to the Nymphenberg Palace. A long canal leads to the front entrance. The canal is home to carpand other fish, swans, ducks, and coots. Below is a picture of a coot on a nestin the canal.
On a later day, we walkedaround the gardens at Nymphenberg. Entry to the gardens is free, and there areextensive paths and water features.
May 27, 2024
My Travels in Europe, Part 1
In May 2024, my husbandand I visited our son who is a graduate student in Hagen, Germany.
We spent 6 days inMunich, visited Innsbruck, Austria, and then, Dusseldorf and Hagen in Germany.
Part 1 shows somehighlights of our visit to Munich. You can easily travel around the city viabus, tram, or subway train.
We spent part of twodays walking around the Englische Garten. The top image shows the lawns with people and buildings in the background. This large park has a lake and otherartificial water features with waterfowl, beer gardens for refreshments, and avariety of attractions. It is a popular place to visit, especially at weekendsand holidays.
Selfie in one of thebeer gardens.
Swan and duck on lake bya beer garden. We fed fries to the swan and ducks.
One special and uniquefeature of the Englische Garten is the artificial cascade with surfers. Watch my video at https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PCUHX80k40s
My second post, Part 2,will cover our 3-day visit to Innsbruck in the Austrian Alps.
May 6, 2024
Coming Later in 2024: Princess Shuka and the Pirate King
Elf Princess Shukaflees into the perilous Marshes of Mu to escape a dragon and drops into theclaws of vicious marsh wights. Her flight and fortunate rescue propel her intoa new life among the humans she despises.
When pirate chief, CaptainRolf Fox, rescues a beautiful lady from the wights, he feels obliged to restoreher to her father. But, avaricious Emperor Raglan has deployed a fleet ofdragon ships to conquer the local town and subdue the marshmen.
In order to return toher homeland, Shuka must swallow her pride and work together with Rolf todestroy the enemy ships.
See the complete series(to date) of the Oakenwald Chronicles at https://www.auroraspringer.org/p/oakenwald.html
CHAPTER 1
As blue and deadly asan angry demon, the dreadful dragon swooped down.
Shuka ran.
Heart thudding interror, she raced toward the barrier of tall sedges edging the marshes. Higherthan a man, the bullrushes would conceal her.
A gust of wind from thebeating wings of the great beast opened a narrow gap in the wall of rushes.
She dashed into thegap, and, brushing aside the tall reeds, she fled along the narrow track of amudbank. The back of her neck itched in anticipation of the hot breath of thedragon.
Shouts and criessounded from behind. A battle?
A woman shrieked.
Was that Musa?
Shuka’s foot slipped inthe mud.
She clutched at aswaying stalk and regained her balance with an effort. Consigning the fate ofher fusspot attendant to a distant part of her mind, she hastened deeper intothe perilous Marshes of Mu. She jumped over small streams of ugly brown waterand hopped onto the clumps of reeds.
The noises of combatfaded, although the susurration of wind in the dry sedges on all sides did notreassure her. The forest of reeds might conceal her from an enemy on theground. But that devilish dragon could fly.
Cringing in fear of anattack from above, she skidded to a halt and glanced up. The gloomy clouds heldno winged beast. Or not yet.
She looked down.Half-sunk in the sticky sludge, her travel boots were soaked and filthy. Sheplucked her feet out of the mud, one by one, and hurried onward.
The track veered arounda murky pool.
Weary from herunaccustomed run, Shuka slowed and edged along the mud bank. She eyed thesluggish stream warily. Did evil demons lurk in the depths?
Water gurgled.
A hideous creatureleaped out of the pool. Half toad and half scrawny-limbed man, the thing seemedthe embodiment of evil.
She screamed.
A second toad-manhopped onto the muddy bank.
The ugly creature doveat her and dug its clawed fingers into her leg.
She fell.
Pain flared in the sideof her head.
She sank intooblivion.
April 7, 2024
April’s Book Bargains #SciFi and #Fantasy
Europa, Book 1 of TaxyonSpace Near future SciFi thriller & romance.
Only 99c this month
Dr. Nikki Bell’s plan to discover intelligent lifein the oceans of Europa hits a rocky start when her spaceship crashes on theicy surface. Seconds before she blacks out, she spies a man’s face in the waterbeneath the ice. When she wakes on the submarine Station, nobody believes herstory. Convinced the mysterious stranger saved her life, Nikki searches for himwhile she explores the ocean and its alien inhabitants.
Kiron Arqin Ramis chose exile as a Watcher on aremote outpost to redeem his family’s honor. He never expected to find anattractive Earther woman close to death. He violates the prime policy byrescuing her. Despite suffering the penalty, he strives to warn her about hishostile leaders.
Nikki’s unexpected meeting with Kiron triggers achain of disasters in Europa’s perilous oceans. Can the daredevil scientist andscarred Watcher forge a new alliance despite their people’s antagonism?
99c at my Webstore and other retailers .
OtherBooks in the TaxyonSpace Series
Rishalt, Book 2 Two alien worlds. Two lovers torn apart. Twist thehyperthreads into unity.
Jupiter, Book 3 .
Alarik, Book 4 Two people fleeing their planets discover ashared destiny.
Baswin, Book 5
Karrik, Book 6 Can an alien treasure help Flaming Comet brothers to unite with theirchosen partners?
Super Starrella , Book 1 of the Secret Supers series, Superpowered collegestudents with fantastic animals.
Start my superhero series with a 99c special!
The quiet summer before her freshman year turnsfrighteningly weird after Estelle Wright trespasses onto an Army base. Blowninto the air and knocked unconscious, she wakes with a nascent superpower. Notto mention a winged horse with a snarky attitude and a mind of her own.
Back home in Atalanta, a serial killer is targeting thestudents at Goldman University. Before long she must juggle college classeswith sneaking out of the house after dark to battle alien monsters. Estelle’slife is in danger, but who can she trust: handsome Mark Copper from militaryintelligence, or hunky Toby, the tough gangster with a motorbike? Both men havesecret agendas, but falling in love is not in their plans.
Superheroes at college, quirky animal sidekicks, and a dashof romance enliven this thrilling adventure. Book 1 of the Secret Supers.
99c at my Webstore and other retailers .
If you like books withpictures, check out the Special Illustrated Edition of Super Starrella at https://payhip.com/b/Bnh4g
Other Books in the Secret Supers Series
Book 2, StarrellaFalls Super Starrellafaces a bigger challenge and Toby is tangled in family politics.
Book 3, GargoyleHunt Starrella’s studies abroad are interrupted byliving gargoyles and devious aliens.
Bridget Bramble and theWandering Elf ,First book in the Oakenwald Chronicles . Epic fantasy questand romance.
A young witch escapes the destruction of her home and seeks thefabled land where elves and humans live in peace.
Lost in the foothills of the mountains, Bridget meets theelf, Windswift the Wanderer. He offers to guide her across the mountain range.But what is the elf doing in human lands? Can an ordinary, or almost ordinary,human girl trust a cold hearted elf to lead her to safety?
This story weaveselements of folklore and a quest for a safe haven in a land where magic is realand dangerous.
99c at my Webstore and other retailers .
See the complete series(to date) at https://www.auroraspringer.org/p/oakenwald.html
